When You Think You Know What’s Up

I think I finally figured it out.

(Yeah, there I go again, thinking I’m the only one who sees what’s really going on.)

I can’t help myself. So, I confess. I doom scroll. Sorry, Mickey Z. I know you regularly advise us to not do that, but I do. And I feel progressively crappier with every subsequent article. Which is why your advice is excellent, but also demonstrates the addictive nature of the human condition.

When I doom scroll, I’m thinking things like …

“Why do they waste time trying to find legitimate reasons behind the seemingly crazy moves of our “leaders;” moves that have no secret, super cool strategy behind them. Isn’t it obvious the aim is to destroy? Seriously, common sense and a basic understanding of human nature, plus a simple analysis of logical outcomes would tell anyone what’s going to happen.”

Or, “Why do we entertain bad ideas for so long before calling them out as destructive and evil?”

Or this one: “Why isn’t there an uprising of resistance to the terrible policies and agendas that aim to deconstruct the human race and remake it into a population of non-reproducing automotons?”

Finally, “Why have we suddenly become void of any common-sense insight into the nature of humans?”

I mean, it’s all obviously intentional, right? People do things for reasons, and sometimes those reasons are motivated by evil intentions. Do these people think they’re doing evil? Good question … which goes to understanding human nature. I won’t write about that … not today. I write this on Good Friday, a day commemorating the sacrifice of Christ on the cross; a sacrifice that nullifies and voids the penalty we owe because of what our fallen human nature is capable of doing.

But here’s the thing. As I allow these questions to roll around in my mind, my attitude turns, and the direction is not good. The bad attitude entertains thoughts like this:

“Why are people so stupid?”

Yep. That’s me. God-Loving Woman wondering why people are so stupid. The thought is ugly. Obviously, I’m ticked. Honestly frustrated with what The Almighty is or is not doing in me or through me, or with me, or whatever. After all, I’m available, and I have skills, dang it!

Oh, human nature. What to do, what to do...

There’s an angry pity party underway. When I get like this, I go dark. I don’t reach out to friends. I hide in my office away from my needy children. And I pray. A lot. Thankfully, my attitude makes no difference to Him. I may be filled with self-pity and anger, but He still talks to me.

So, about two weeks ago, when all this internal frustration, mental societal flogging, and ego-driven self-aggrandizement began gaining momentum, I read this.

¹...When bereavement befalls us, and the light of our eyes is removed, and a shadow falls over all the world, may we not hear Him saying, “Behold, there is a place by Me. I have put thee in this cleft of the rock, and am covering thee with My hand.”

When our heart is disappointed in human affection, and it appears as though all faith in our fellows is shattered; when we find that the deposit that we placed in the bank of human love is forfeited, and when our soul prefers death to life, again we hear that strong and tender voice saying, “Behold, there is a place by Me. I have put thee in this cloven rock, and will cover thee with My hand.”

When we are threatened with the loss of our early faith, and no longer believe with the unquestioning simplicity of our childhood; when imperious questions arise and demand answer, again the Father draws nigh His child, and says, “My child, thou canst not understand, but come nearer to Me; there is a place by Me, the full splendour of My Glory cannot be beheld by mortal vision, but I will put thee in the cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand.”

The hand covers only for so long as we are unable to bear the revelation, but it is removed so soon as the tempered glory will not be too strong for us.

...The mention of the cleft in the rock reminds us of the tempest, earthquake, and glacier action which have torn the mountains and cleft great gashes in their sides, and we turn from these to Christ, the Rock of Ages who was cleft for us. We understand that if we hide in His riven side, where the spear rent Him, we are sheltered for ever, at infinite cost to Him. We look out upon God from the place which is called Calvary; we stand upon the Rock of the finished work of the Redeemer; we are hidden beneath the pierced hand, and from that vantage-point are able to see things that prophets and kings desired to see in vain.

I’m going to go now … to clear my mind.

I hope you had a Blessed Good Friday and will enjoy a Happy Easter.